Fuselage, Wing, & Stabilizer Structure

FAA Aircraft Certification Service SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Fuselage, Wing, & Stabilizer Structure SAIB: CE-08-01 Date: October 18, 2007 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin informs you of an airworthiness concern for Grob Models Twin Astir, Twin Astir Trainer, G103 Twin II, G103A Twin II Acro, G103C Twin III Acro, and G103C Twin III; all serial numbers.

Background

Grob received a report that a spar stub failed in flight on a G103C Twin III Acro. Extensive investigations were performed at independent places, but a root cause could not be clearly identified. Damage potentially caused by a hard landing, ground loop, an exceeding of permitted speed limits or maneuvering factors, or an inappropriate repair could not be excluded.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive No. 2007-0194-E, dated July 30, 2007, for those sailplanes registered for operation in Europe. That AD is based on Grob Service Bulletin MSB-74/1 and MSB 869-25/1, dated July 30, 2007.

Since the airworthiness concern can not be specifically determined nor can the condition be proven to exist or develop on other products of the same type design, airworthiness directive action by the FAA is not warranted under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.

Recommendations

In the manner of safety awareness, we recommend all owners and operators comply with actions outlined in Grob Service Bulletin MSB-74/1 and MSB 869-25/1.

For Further Information Contact

Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Small Airplane Directorate, Room 301, 901 Locust Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected]

For Related Service Information Contact

Grob Aerospace GmbH Lettenbachstrasse 9 86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies Federal Republic of Germany Phone: +011 49 8268 998 105 Fax: +011 49 8268 998 200 Email: [email protected]